AI-Free Visuals Take Center Stage in Art World

The illustration for The New Yorker’s profile of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is a masterclass in subtlety. Altman stands in a blue sweater with a blank expression, his face rendered with precision and nuance. But it’s the absence of overt AI flourishes that truly sets the piece apart. Unlike some AI-generated art, which can come across as forced or contrived, Szauder’s illustration feels organic and timeless. Szauder is a mixed-media artist who has been experimenting with collage, video, and generative techniques for over a decade. While he has indeed worked with commercial AI tools in the past, his approach to the technology feels distinct from the more showy displays of digital art that have come to dominate social media. By eschewing the obvious markers of AI-generated art – the glitchy textures, the algorithmic patterns, the sometimes-jarring sense of detachment – Szauder has created an illustration that feels remarkably human. It’s a testament to his skill as an artist, and a reminder that even in an age where AI is ubiquitous, there’s still room for subtlety and restraint.